Wrapping-machine.



No. 656,826. Patented Aug. 28, won. F. m. PETERS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.) (No Model.) l2 SheetsSheet I No.656,826. Patented Aug, 28, I900. F. M. PETERS. WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 656,826. Patented Aug. 23, I900. F. m. PETERS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.) N0 Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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Patented Aug. 28, I900.

I2 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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F. M. PETERS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.)

(No Model.)

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 28, I900. F. M. PETERS.

WRAPPING-MACHINE.

v'Application filed July 1, 1899.)

I2 Sh9ets-Sheet 5.

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N6. 656,826. Patented Aug. 26, I900; F. M. PETERS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Applica ion filed July 1, 1899.)

I2 $heets-Shoet 7.

(No Model.)

No. 656,826. Patented Aug. 28, I900. F. M. PETERS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.)

(No Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet ;B.

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Patented Aug. 28, I900.

F. M. PETERS WRAPPING MAGHfNE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.) V

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No Model.)

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No. 656,826. Patnted Aug. 28, I900. F. M. PETERS. WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899.)

I2 SheetsSheet ID,

(No Model.)

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No. 656,826. Patented Aug. 28,. I960. F. M. PETERS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 1, 1899i) 12 Shoets$heat l2.

(No Model.)

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,ilnrrnn States Patent OFFICE.

FRANK M. PETERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WRAPPING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,826, dated August28, 1900.

Application filedl ly1,1899. smanmzassv/momma.)'

T0 at whom, it 7na-y concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK M. PETERS, of

- Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of tities to folding devices,whereby a suitable carton or box blank, preferably provided withtomatieally folded around the crackers, so as to inclose themiin abox-like package.

The machine is designed, primarily, for use in the packingqf biscuit,crackers, or the like by the method set forth in Letters Patent No.621,974, grantedllto me March 28, 1899, and is designed to aid'in theproduction of a moisture-proof and air-tight package such as is setforth in said Letters Patent.

A further and important feature of the inventionis the provision ofmechanism whereby all manual manipulation of the'articles to be packedis avoided, the said articles being so handled by the automaticmechanism employed as to fill and set up the packages with greatrapidity and precision and without the relatively-large loss by breakagewhich is generally incidental to the use of hand labor -for thesepurposes.

To the ends set forth my invention consists in certain novel features,which I will now proceed to describe and will then particularly pointout in the claims? In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is anelevation of one side of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the opposite side of the machine. v.Fig. Fig. 4 is asectional view taken on the line at 4 of Fig. 3 andillustrating oneposition of the parts of the machine which deliver the crackers to thefolding devices. Fig. 5 is asimilar view innstrating another position ofthese parts. Fig.

6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. tan'd lookingin the direction of Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view,

partly in section, showing the guideway for the pusher and thecarrier-plate which co-l' operates therewith. Fig. 8 is anenlarged-detail sectional view of. a portion of the pusher and itscooperating devices. Fig; 9 is a front elevation, partly in section, ofthe combined carrier and former, whereby the crackers are delivered tothe folded mechanism. Fig. 10

is a top plan View of thefolding devices detached. Fig. 11 is a bottomplan view of the same, a portion, of the operating devices being shownin connection therewith.

vices, their normal positions being shown in full lines and thepositions which they assnrne during the operation of folding the box orcarton being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 13 is a front elevation of thefirs-t folding leaf ,or plate andits'cooperating mechanism, the pivotedwings being's'hown-intheir normal positions in full lines and in thepositions which they assume during folding in dotted lines. Fig. leis asimilar view of the fixed plate-or leaf. Fig. 15 is a similar View ofthe second or rear hinged leaf. Fig. 1.6is a rear elevationof the rearhinged leaf and its gripping devices, the same being shown intheirnormal positions. Fig. 17 isasimilar view showing the grippingdevices in the positions which they assume. when the plate or leaf israisedand before said gripping de-' vices have'been released. Fig. 18 isa View of one-half of thestructure shown'in Fig. 17, illustrating theposition of the gripping devices when the plate or leaf has been fullyraised and the said gripping devices are released. Fig. 19 is adetailview of a port-ion of one of the gripping devices. Fig. 20 is a planview similar-toFig. 10, illustrating a modified construction of thefolding devices adapted for use when constructing unlined packages; andFig, 21 is a plan view of a blank and its lining, the combined carrierFig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the folding de and former, withits complement of crackers,

being shown in position thereon, the former in section, and the-positionof the spring-fingers which cooperatetherewith being indicated.

Referring to the said drawings, 1 indicates the frame ofthemachine,.which is preferably constructed in two parts,an upper and alower part, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

- motion by means of a second sprocket-wheel 12 to a shaft 13. it Thisshaft 13 is provided with sprocket-wheels 14, which serve to actuate theendless conveyor, by means of which the crackers are broughtvto thecombined carrier and former. This con veye'r consists of twosprocket-chains 15, which pass over the sprocket-wheels 14, as referredto, and

overidle sprocketwheels 16 at the rear of the machine, and thesesprocket-chains are connected at suitable intervals by cross-bars 17,which travel over a bed or way 18, on which the crackers rest. This bedis provided with lateral guide-walls 19, rising vertically therefrom ateach side thereof. These guide-walls are not, however, supported fromthe bed, but from the main frameof ,the machine by means of suitablesupporting, arms or bolts 20, as indicated inliigs. 3 and 8, so as toleave a clear space between their lower edges and the top ofthe bed, inwhich spaces the chains run, as indicated in Fig.

The cam-groove S is entered by a pin 21 on -an' arm 22, secu red to arock-shaft 23, and said rock-shaft has forward-extending arms 24 at eachside thereof, which arms are connected by links 25 to the arms 26 of thecombined carrier and former, which is indicated as a whole vby thereference-numeral 27. This carrier is in the general shape of arectangular box open at top and bottom and also 30 in theframe of themachine.

having aport-ion of its rear wall removed'at the lower end'thereof, asindicated at 28. It is guided by the arms26, which are provided withblocks'29, which slide in vertical guides The lower side walls of thecarrier are cut away to providespace for the gripping-plates 31,whichare pivoted to the body of the carrier-on axes 32, located abovethe opening 28. The gripping-plates have operatingstems 33, which extendupward therefrom and are shouldered, as indicated at 34,.to receive thelocking devices, which hold them in an inoperative position. Each stem33 is provided at its upper end with an arm 35, which extends laterallyoutward therefrom through a slot 36 in the end wall of the carrier, theprojecting end of the arm 35 being provided with an antifriction-roller37, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 9'. The frame of the machine ispro vided on each side with a cam-incline 38, and the rollers 37 comeinto contact with these inclines when the carrier reaches its down wardlimit of motion. The gripping-plates 31 are spring actuated, so astonormally tend to approach each otherand grip the crackers which liebetween them, and for. this purpose the plates is resisted by means ofsuitable,

lockin g deviees,which in the form shown comprise two latches 41, eachhaving abeveled end 42 and a shoulder 43, which is adapted to engageover the upper edge of the shoulder 34 of the stem 33, as indicated inFig. 9.

These latches are carried by arms 44, which are pivoted at 45 to therearinner face of the carrier, and a releasing-arm 46 extends downwardtherefrom .to a point opposite an openin; 47 in the rear face of thecarrier. v

The cam-groove 9 is engaged by pin 48, to which are connected not only alin 49, the

upper end of which isloosely hung upon the rock-shaft 23, but also therear end of a con necting-rod 51, the forward end ofwhich is connectedwith and imparts a reciprocating motion in a horizontal direction tothepusher. This latter comprises a horizontally-reciproeating frame 52and. a second or auxiliary frame 53, pivotally connected therewith atits rear end, as indicated at 54, the forward end of this pivoted framecarrying the pusher-- plate 55. This latter has a vertical front pieceof a width equal to the width between the guide-walls 19 of the bed 18and is yieldingly connected with the frame 53, being carried for thatpurpose on rods, 56, which are mounted to slide through the frame 53 andare provided with springs 57, which tend to force the pusher-plate 55forward, butpermit it to yield rearward. The rods 56 are threaded attheir rear ends and provided with nuts 58, which limit the forwardmotion of the pusher-plate '55 relatively to its frame 53. Themovementof the pivoted frame 53 is controlled by guideways 59, locatedon the-inner faces of the side frames of the machine and each comprisinga horizontal lower portion 60,

an upwardly-inclined return portion 61, a.

horizontal return portion 62, and a vertical portion 63, near the rear.A pivoted switch .64 is located at the junction of the portions 60 and61 and occupies normally the position shown in Fig. 7 of the draWings,,to which position it is returned by gravity when displaced. Thepivoted frame 53 is provided with lateral projecting rollers-65, one oneach side, which rollers travel in the guideways 59.

The construction is such that during the forward movement of the'pusherthe rollers 65 travel in the lower horizontal grooves 60 and thepusher-plate 55 also travels horizontally and with.its lower edgeimmediately above the bed 18. During this forward movement the switches64 are lifted to permit the'rollersto pass and fall again into theposition shown after such passage. .Upon the return movement of thepusher the rollers travel u. p the inclined portions 81 and along theupper horizontal portions 62, and during this portion of the movementofthe pusher the pusherplate 55 is raised in the manner shown in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Toward the limit ofthe'rearward movement of the pusher the rollers 65 pass downward throughthe vertical portions 63 of the guiding-grooves, and the pusher-plate isbrought downwardagain toward the bed 18. The bed 18 terminates at apoint shortlyin the rear of the carrier 27, and I employ to cooperatewith said bed and with the pusherplate a sliding carrying plate orextension 66, which slides horizontally in ways 67, secured to the innerfaces of the side frames of the machine. This plate has on each sidethereof a rearwardly-extending arm 68, provided with anupwardly-extending post or p ojection 69, which lies in the path of thedownwardly-extending projection 70, with which the sliding frame 52 ofthe pusher is provided on each side. Springs 71 are connected to each ofthe projections 69 and to fixed projections 72 on the bed 18,0n eachside thereof, and these frames or others snitably arranged serve to drawthe extensionplate 66 backward toward the bed 18 and away from thecarrier 27. The shaft 13 is provided at each side with a cam 73, andthese cams engage with the rear edge of the extension-plate 60 and serveto move it forward against the action of the springs 71. It will beobserved that the shaft 13'is located under the front edge of the bed18, so that as the conveyer reaches the end of the bed thesprocket-chains and cross-bars of which itis composed are carrieddownward over the front edge of 'said bed, and the cams 73 are solocated and arranged that they engage with the extensionplate 66 uponthe arrival of each cross-bar 17 at the forward edge of the bed and pushsaid extension-plate forward away from the edge of the bed to a distancesufficient'to allow the cross-bar to pass down between the two. Thetiming of the motion of the parts is such that as the cam 7 3 reachesthe limit of its outward throw the projections 70 come into contact withthe projections 69, and the forward movement of the plate 66 is thuscontinued in unison with the forward moven1ent of the pusher-plate, andthe crackersare thereby carried through the opening 28 into the carrierand former 27. The pusher is provided with a forwardlyextending arm 74,the arrangement and location of which are such that as the pusher.reaches the forward limit of its motion said arm, passing through theaperture 47 in the rear wall of the carrier, strikes against thedepending arnr {it}, and therebyforces the latches i1 upward andreleases the operatingstems of the gripping-plates 31. These lattcr arethereupon moved inward toward eachother by the spring 39 and gripbetween them.

plate during the greaterportion of its rearward movement serve to carryit over and clear of the next batch of crackers which are being broughtforward by the next cross-bar 17 of the conveyor, as illustrated in Fig.5. When the plate 66 is movedirearwarc. clear of the carrier 27, thislatter moves vertically downward, and this motion takes place toa ward ahorizontal table 75, which is formed by the upper part of the lowerportion of the frame of the machine. This table carries the foldingdevices, and it is one of the functions of the carrier 27 to take thecrackers from the conveyor and deliver them ready to be packed to thesefolding devices. The downward movement of the carrier just describedcontinues until its lower end is in1- mediately above the level of thetable 75,. and

at the limit of its downward motion the roll-- ers 37 strike against thecan1-inclines3-8 and press the gripping-plates 31 outward, thusreleasing the crackers. The outward motion of the gripping-plates 31 andthe inward 1no- 'tion toward each other of their stems 33 continue untilthe shouldersfi i of these latter, having ridden under the inclines4201." the latches, pass clear of the shoulders 43 thereof, whereuponthe said latches will-drop and r will hold the parts in the positionshown in Fig. 9 until again released by the advance of the pusher. Thecarrier while thus in its lowered position upon the table 75 preferablyserves as a former around which the box which is to contain the crackersis folded,

and afte'r the operation of the folding mechanism, which will behereinafter described, has been accomplished the said carrier is movedupward by means of the mechanism described for that purpose, leaving thecrackers within the box which has been formed around the carrier, saidcrackers having been released from the hold of the gripping-plates 31.When the carrier has been again raised to its initial-position, asshownin Fig. 4 of the drawings, it'stands ready to receive another charge ofcrackers, which charge is brought forward to it by the action-of theparts already described.

It will be understood that as preliminary to the operation justdescribed an attendant will place a'snitable number of crackers upon therear portionof the bed 18 in advance ofeach one of the cross-bars 17,the crackers being in a vertical position and arranged side by side,with their rear edgesyesting against said crossbar, and will be thuscarried upward and forward until transferred to they of said table,which is apertnred to receive them and being supported by means ofaframe 76, which is secured to the under side ofsaid table. These foldingdevices consist of a plurality of hinged plates or leaves, one

' of which (indicated at 77) is a fixed plate se-- cured to the frame 76and having pivotally connected to its ends triangulanwings orextensions78,-which serve to fold up the end. flaps of that portion of the blankwhich rests upon-the plate 77 and which constitutes the bottom of thecompleted box. The wings or extensions 78 are operated by means oflevers 79,.which are pivoted at their inner ends to a projection 80 onthe under side of the plate 77, while their outer ends are connected bymeans of links 81 to'arms 82 on-the under- "sideof the extensions 78.

in turn operated by links 83, pivoted to said levers between their endsand connected to a block 81, which is connected by a link 85 to theforward end of a lever 86', said lever being pivoted at its rear end. toa support 87 near the rear of the frame of the machine. Said lever isprovided between its ends with a downwardly-extending arm carrying aroller 88, which lies in the path of a cam 89, secured to a cam-shaft90, and said cam-shaft is driven hymeans of a bevel-pinion 91 on its endmeshing witha similar pinion 92 on the lower end of a shaft 93, theupper end of said shaft being provided with a bevelrpi-nion 91-, whichmeshes with a corresponding pinion 95 on the shaft 61 To the front edgeof the fixed plate 77 is hinged a'similarleaf or plate 96, which isprovided at its ends with pivoted wings or extensions 97, each havingan. incllned rear-edge98 and a projection 99 on its upper surface,terminating in a shoulder 100,

which is Vertical when the wing or extension is in its normal position,as shown in Fig. 10'. The outer or front edge of the wing or extensionis curved or flared outward, as indicated at 101 and as shown moreparticularly in Figs-10 and 1 3. The plate 96 is moved from a horizontalto a vertical position through anarc of about nineey degrees by means ofa lever 102, pivoted at its rear end to the projection 87, while itsfront end is connected by means of a link 103 with an arm or projection10t'on the under side of the plate 96. The wings or extensions 97 arebrought to a position at right angles tothe plate 96 at the same timethat theyassume a vertical position by means of the mechanism shown moreparticularly in Figs. 12 and 13. In this construction each wing orextension 97 is provided on its under side with a projecting arm 105,which is cbnnected by a link 106 to the outer end of a lever 107,pivoted between its ends to a projection 108 on the The levers 79 areunder side of the plate 96. The 'inner adja-- cent ends of the twolevers 107 extend into a slot- 109 I in the forward end of alever 110,

which is pivoted between its ends to a projection 111 on the undersideof the plate 96. The rear end of the lever has pivoted to it-one end ofa-link 112, the other end of said link being pivotally'connected to theunder side of the fixed plate 77,. as indicated at 113.

. It results from the variation in distance between the pivot 113 andthe pivotal connection 114 between thetlever 110 and the arm 111 thatupon an upward motion of the plate 96 the front end of the lever110,will be moved away fromv the under side of said'plate and the inner endsof the lever-e107 will be pressed downward and outward and will therebybring the wings or extensions 97 into a position at right angles to theplate 96,as

indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 12 and 13.

Pivoted to the'rear edge of the fixed plate -77 is a hinged plate 115,and lying immed =ately-below this andpivoted to the rear edge -of theplate 77 on the same axis is an auxiliary plate 116, which moves for aportion of the tiine'in unison with the plate 115. .This plate 116 isprovided at its ends with the extensions or wings 11.7, pivotallyconnected therewith, while the plate 115-is similarly provided-atitsends with extensions or wings 118, which lie to the 'rear of andoverlap the wings 117. The plate 116 is operated by means'of a .lever119, pivoted at its rear end to the projection 87, while its front endis connected by means of a link 120 to a projection 121, on the underside of the plate 116. or extensions'1l7 anti 118 are connected witheach other in pairs on each side of the machine by means of ahcadedprojection or .screw 122, which extends through a slot 123 in the wingor extension 117 and is secured to the wing or extension 118. That endof each slot 123 whichlies nearest the edge of the plate 116 isstraight, as clearly shown in Fig. 11, while the remainder of the slotis curved on a radius struck from the axis of connectionbetween theplates 116 and 7.7 as ',a center. The wings or extensions 117 and 118thus connected in pairs are moved simultaneously to bring'th'em into aposition at right angles to the plate 116 during the upward movement ofthis latter by means of the following mechanism, (shown moreparticularly in Figs. 11,.12, and 15:) Each wing 117 is provided on itsunder side with a projection 1 21, which is connected by a link 125 tothe outer end of a lever 126, which is pivotally connected between itsends to a pro jection127 on the under side of the plate 116. Theadjacent ends of the twolevers .126 extend into a slot 128 in the uppererrear end: of a lever 129, whichis pivoted between its The wings larlyin Fig. 12.

ceases a s ofthe plate 77, and extending thence rearwa'rdly in a curve,as shown more particu- Mouuted in the slot 133, at therear end thereof,is a roller 135, while at itsi'orward end there is mounted in said slota similar roller 136, the arrangement being such that the cam 131 comesin contact with the roller 135 during the upward movement of the plate116, while the cam 132 comes in contact with the roller 136 during thedownward movement of said plate. The first-mentioned contact vibratesthe lever 129 in such a way as to move the inner ends of the levers 126downward or-away from the plate 116, and thereby move the wings orextensions 117 and 118 upward into a position at right angles to theplate 116,

in Figs. 12 and 15. On the other hand, the

. contact of the cam 132 with the roller 136 dur-. ing the downwardmovement of the plate 116 reverses this movement of the lever 129 andreturns the wings or extensions 117 and 118 to their normal position, sothat they lie in the same plane with the plate 116. Since the wings orextensions 117 and 118 are pivotally connected to theplates 116 and 115,respectively, and these plates do notlie in the same plane, the pivotalaxes of the said wings or mit relative .tensions while being moved-toand of the plate 116 afterthe thereof have been brought to a position atwhich lies in the path of a shoulder or extensions are not in the sameline, and it is for this purpose that the vertical or straight portionsof the slots 123 are provided to permotionof the two wings or exfromtheir position at right angles to the plates to which they are pivoted.

The plate 115 is provided on its under side with-a curved arm 137, whichextends through an aperture 138 in the plate 116, its curvature beingfrom the pivotal axis of the two plates as a center and it beingprovided with projection 139 at its free end. A spring 140, coiledaround this curved arm, bears at one end against the underside of theplate 116, while its other end bears against the shoulder 139. The plate116 has a-limited range of upward dicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12,and in the construction shown the limit of this move meut is determinedby the contact of the cam-arm 131 with the roller 135, said contactacting to arrest the upward movement wings or extensions right anglesthereto. The plate 115 is independently actuated beyond this limit ofmo: tion by means of a lever 141, the rear end of which is-pivoted tothe projection 87, while its forward end is connected bya link 142 witha curved arm 143, which is secured to the under side of. the plate 115and extends thence downward through an aperture 144 in the plate 116.;The leverldl is provided with a roller'1-45; which lies'in the path of acam 146 on the shaft 90.

It should be hereobserved that the lever 102 is provided with a similarroller 147, a cam 148 on the as shown in dotted lines movement, as in-'shaft 90, and that the lever 119 is similarly provided with a roller149, which lies in the path of a cam 150 on the shaft 90.

The construction and arrangement of the parts just referred to areupward movement of the plate 116 the wings or extensions 117 and 118 arebrought into position at right angles to said plate, as hereinbefore setforth. 'Duringthe continued forward movement of the plate 115 alone thewings or extensions 118 move forward along with said plate, movingthrough the curved portions of the slots 123. The wings or extensions117 are provided on their inner or upper sides, near their front edges,with elastic or spring fingers 151 for the purpose of guiding thetongues of-the box-blank into the slits which are intended to receivethem. The wings or extensions 118 are provided with certain grippingdevices for holding the lining-sheet in position on the box-blank duringthe operation of folding, and these devices are shown more particularlyin Figs. 16 to 19, inclusive. near its outer or. free end a projection1-52, in which is pivoted at 153 a lever 154:, which carries at one enda clamping-finger 155. The other end of said lever is connected to a rod156, which is adapted to slide longitudinally in asleeve bearing 157,carried by an arm 158, pivoted at 159 to a projection 160, secured tothe plate 115. The sliding rod 156 is provided with an externalproject'itin 161, having a surface 162 inclined to the axis of-the rod156 and a shoulder-163 at rightangles thereto. The arm 158 carries aspring 164:, which on its free end is provided with a. projection 165,

Each wing or extension 118 hassuch that during the the screws orprojections 122 xo5 having an inclined surface f 166 and a ight-angledshoulder 1.67, which is adapted to engage with the shoulder 163 of theprojection 161, as indicated in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings. The rod156 is tubular or hollowed longitudinally and is provided near its outerend with a slot 168, and in the hollow iuterionof said rod 156 ismounted a stem 169, provided at its inclosed end with a projection 170,which extends outward through the slot 168 and which has an inclinedsurface 171 and a right-angled shoulder 172. The other end of this stem169 pro-' jects beyond the end of the rod 156. The plate is provided onits under side with projections 173, in which are pivoted camarms 174,having cam-surfaces 175 to engage the ends of the stems 169. The innerends of these levers are normally in contact with a plate 176, carriedby a lever 177, which is pivoted to the under side of the plate 115, asindicated at 178 in Fig. 12. This lever 177 projects rearward beyondthejrearmost edge of the plate 115 and is adapted to engage a suitablefixed stop 179, which in the present instance is shown as mounted on theouter face of the rear-wall of the combined carrier and former 27.

The operation of the gripping devices is as follows: During the upwardmovement of the plate 116, and the consequent movement of the wings orextensions 11S relatively to the plate 115, the variations in distancebetween the pivotal centers 153 and 159 causes the rods156 to so actupon the levers 154 as to swing theclamping-fingersl55 from their openposition shown in Fig. 16 to the closed position shown in Fig. 17, inwhich they press upon the faces of-the wings 118 and hold thelining-paper and carton firmly'in place against the same at thosepoints.It will be understood, of course, that during this movement the shoulder167 of the pro jection 165 is in engagement with the shoulder 163 of theprojection 161, so that the rod 156 is. not free .to move longitudinallyrelatively to the sleeve 157. During the latter portionof this movementfrom the position shown in Fig. 16 to thatshown-in Fig. 17 the free'endsof the stems 169 ride upon the Y surfaces 175, but without exerting anysuch pressure as would cause an upward oroutward -movement of said stemtoward the gripping- When, however, the plate 115 has fingers. movedforward to the limit ofits upward or forward movement, it is necessaryto release the gripping devices before the return movernent of thisplate, and this is accomplished by the strikingof the free end oftheleverlf'f' against the fiiied projection 179, whereupon the plate 176will press against the inner endsof the levers 174 and will cause theirdisengage their-shoulders 167 fromthe shoul outer-ends in turn to pressagainst the exposed ends of the stems 169. These stems will then movelongitudinally toward the grippingfingers, and this movementwill causethe inclines 171 of the projections 170 'to bear against the projections165 and force' these latter away from the rods 156, so as to ders 1630fthe projections 161 on said rods.

' When this has occurred, the stems 169 have reached the limit of theirmovement relatively to the rods 156, and the further pressure exerted onsaidstems by the levers 175 causes them to move the rods 156 along withthem and operates on the levers 154: to throw the gripping-fingers 155back into the open position shown in Fig. 18, which position theymaintain during the return movement of the parts.

The spring connection between the plates 115 and 116 is such that theplate 116 is maintained in its augnlarposition (shown in dotted lines inFig. 12) until the return of; the plate 115 to contact therewith,whereupon the two plates return in unison to their original position. Byreason of this mode of operation ready to receive said flaps.

tions of the slots 123 and permit the wings or extensions of both platesto assume their normal positions in the same horizontal plane with saidplates.

I will. mow proceed to give a general eescription of the operation ofthe folding deand lining-sheet are then placed upon the folding devicesin such a manner that that portion of the blank which is to form thebottom of the box rests upon the fixed plate 77. The carrier then.descends and places the crackers in position upon the lining and blankover said plate 77. Through the mechanism provided for that purpose theplate 96 is then moved upward and folds the blank and lining along thelineaaof Fig. 21, while at the same time the wings or extensions 98 moveto'a position at right angles to the plate'96 and fold the flaps of theblank along the lines 5 Z) of Fig. During this latter operation theprojections 99 press against the material of-the blank immediatelyoutward from or beyond "the-slits c c, which are to receive thetuckingflaps, and cause said slits to gape or open For this purpose theend walls of the carrier, are recessed or cut away, as indicated at 182,so as to permit the portions of theblank pressed against by theprojections 99 to yield inward in the manner described. The wings 78 atthe ends of the fixed plate 77 are then next movedupward by themechanism described for that purpose and further fold the blank and lin-I ing along the lines (1 b. 116 thereupon are moved upward in unison,and this upward movement of said plates serves to begin the folding ofthe blank and lining along the line (I (Z, and at the same time thewings 117 and 1 18 move to'a position at right angles to the plates and116 and fold the blank and lining alongthe lines (Z e. During thismovement of the parts the gripping-fingers move over the edge of theblank and serve to firmly grip the lining againstthe blank and also toclamp bot-h lining and blank against the wings 118. When the movement ofthe plate 116 ceases, that of the plate 115 continues, and during this'to receive themby the projections 99, and

the curvature of the extremities of the wings 97 serves to aid inguiding the ends of the tucking-flaps into position. The yielding orspring fingers 151' further serve to hold these tucking-flaps in suchposition that they will enter the slits provided for them and willthereby complete the formation of the body-- of thebox. It will beunderstood that the The plates 115 and ceases lining of the protectii 'epaper is folded along with the blank in the manner set forth in anyprior patent hereinbefore referred to, and thus becomes interfolded withthe flaps of the blank to make an air-tight package. It will also be,understood that during the operation of the folding mechanism thecarrier 27 remains in position on the fixed plate 77, being withdrawnafter the folding is completed and leaving the crackers within thefolded lined box thus formed. The several parts return to their normalposition in a manner which will be readily understood, and when-theseveral plates and their extensions areagain flush with the flat top ofthe table 7 5 they are agaiiiin position to receive a fresh blank and afresh charge of crackers.

While, as I have already stated,'the mechanism described will fold boththe blank and the lining-sheet simultaneously, I may em- V ploy certainad junctive devices for the more 1 spring 196, as shown.

, material.

effective folding of the lining-sheet along with the blank. Thesedevices consist of certain yielding or spring fingers, which I will nowproceed to describe.

In Figs. 9 and2l of the drawings I have shown yielding or spring fingers183, which may be formed of comparatively-light spring wire and may beprovided with a coiled body 184 to increase their elasticity. Thesefingers are supported by means of downwardlyextending arms 185, whichare attached to and extend downward from the guide-blocks 29, which movealong with the combined carrier and former 27. These fingers 183 pressyieldingly against the lining paper at the edges thereof along the lineof fold d d,'so that during the folding along this line, as well asalong the lines cl 2, the paper is so held at its outer margins as toinsure its folding along the desired lines. In connection with thesespring-lingers I also employ a second pair of spring-fingers 186, eachterminating in a curved toe 187 and also made of flexible spring-wire orother suitable yielding These fingers are carried by a rock-shaft 188,which is mounted in the upper portion of the frame of the machine and isoperated'by means of an arm189, which is connected by a link19O-totheupp er end of a lever 191. This lever extends downward througha slot in the table and is pivoted, at 192 to an arm 193 underneath saidtable. The lower end of the lever 191 is provided with a.roller-194,which is held against a cam 195 on the shaft 90 either by gravity or byaThe operation of these parts 'is such that upon the downward movement ofthe carrier the spring-fingers 186 are at the same time moved into thevertical position shown in lhg. 5, so that they stand vertically at-theangles of the lines of fold d d xthe proper and pi el This positiontheymaintain during the foldingoperation, and thereby serve to definethe vertical linesof fold of the liningpaper atthe two rear corners ofthe box. At time the cam 195 operates to rock;

new of the box and the shat t 188, whereupon these spring-fingers moveforward and upward, and during this movement they are drawn along thevertical angles of the lining-papers at the front co-rserve to definethese angles and the lines of fold at said angles.

Theparticular form of folding devices just described is, as stated,oneparticularly adapted forhse when the packages embody a lining, as wellas an outer box or carton. My invention also contemplates, however, theconstruction of a machine adapted for use in the packing of crackers inboxes which are unlined or in which the lining is so secured to thebox-blank as to require no special devicesto retain it in place duringthe folding operations. Such a construction of the folding devices isshown in Fig. 20 of the drawings and differs from that already describedonly in that the auxiliary plate 116 is dispensed with, as well as thewings or extensions 118,. with their gripping devices and thecoiiperating mechanism. In this construction the extensions 117 arepivoted directly to the hinged plate 115 and ei'tendthe'entire lengththereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 20.

Considering the machine as a whole,it will "be-seen that crackers orother articles placed upon the bed or table of the conveyer will beautomaticaliy delivered to the carrier and by this latter will-becarried to the folding devices and there held while the box-blank,either lined or unlined, is folded around the formerand its contents, sothat the body of the box is completed, leaving only the closing of thesame by the folding and tucking in of the top. chine is entirelyautomatic, except for the supplying of the crackers to the conveyor andof the box-blanks and lining'sheets to the folding devices and theremoval of the filled boxes, and the nature of the construction is suchthat the work is performed at'a high rate of speed and with a minim urnofbreakage of the crackers. t

lVhile l have described the particular mechanisms employed for producingparticular movements of the parts with considerable minuteness in orderthat their operation may be comprehended, I do not wish to be understoodlimiting myself precisely to the detall-lsv of construction set forth,as it is obvious that these details may be varied without departing fromthe broader principles of my invention; nor is it always necessary toembody all of the features of my invention in one machine, as it isobvious'that although the particular groups of mechanism set forth areso organized as to cooperate, with each other to produce a unitaryresult, yet thefoldingdevices might be used to fold a box aroundcrackers or other articles delivered thereto by other mechanisms thanthose set forth and the particular conveying and carrying The operationof the ma- IIO igo

mechanisms might be employed with other forms of folding mechanism.Again, it is not essential that aconveyer or the carrier be used inconnection with the folding mechanisms sho\v'n aiicldescribed, forthe'articles to be packed may becharged into the carrier by hand and theconveyer omitted or, so far as the novelty of the folding machanisms perse is conce'rned,'the articles may be placed upon the blank and thecarrier omitted, and if a conveyer be used it is not essential that itshall be of the particular construction shown, nor thatit shall bearranged in relation to the carrier, as specified. I desire to callattention to thefact that the sliding plate 66 serves in the machineorganized as delineated in the drawings the useful purpose of affordinga temporary or false bottom for the conveyer to suppprt'the articlestherein, as well as to convey said articles from the conveyer to thecarrier, I desire also'to call attention to the fact that the provisionof the carrier with an open rear side permits crackers ofslightlyvarying"dimensions to be packed without danger of breaking them.

My apparatus will be found serviceable in asse'mbling and wrapping anumber of articles Which are tobe faced or brought to-' gether into abody or mass having. symmetrical outlines, in packing which class ofgoods problems are presented which are not found in thosewrapping-machines wherein the articles to be wrapped or packed can bedelivered from a chute.

.t o be broken some of the features My mechanism in some'of its featuresof construction and organization is especially adapted to the handlingof fragile materials; but if employed for packing articles not liable Ithereof might be modified or omitted.

I. claim- 1. In machine for packing crackers, biscuit and the like, thecombination, with a folding-table to receive a box-blank, of a co n-'Veyer adapted to supply the crackers in groups containing apredetermined quantity, and a carrier adapted to receive the crackersfrom the conveyer, to carry them to the folding-table and to hold themin position thereon 'said carrier constituting with the crackers a formaround which the box-blank is folded,

substantially as described.

2: In a machine for packing crackers, biswit and the like, thecbmbinatiom'with a ,folding-table to receive a box-blank, of aconvey'er' adapted to supply the crackers in groups containing apredetermined quantity, and a carrier adaptedfto receive the crackersfrom the conveyer, to carry them to the folding-table and to hold themin position thereon, said carrier constituting with the saidcrackers orthe like a form around which the sides of the box-blank are folded, andsaid devices to fold the box-blank, substantially as described- 3. In amachine for packing crackers, biscuit'and the like, the combination,with a conveyer adapted to supply the crackers in groups containing apredetermined quantity,

of a folding-table adapted to receive a boxblank and provided withautomatic mechanism for folding said blank, and 'a carrier movablebetween the conveyer and folding-tabla and adaptedto receive thecrackers from the conveyer and 'arry themto the folding-table f andto'hold them in position thereon and constituting with said crackersorthe like a form around -which the box-blank may be folded, and'automatic.means'for actuating said carrier to move it from the conveyer to thefolding-table and to withdraw it from the folding table .to the conveyerafter the-operation of the folding mechanism, substantially asdescribed.

v at. In a machine of the,characterdescribed, the combination, with afolding-table and a hollow carrier adapted to receive thecrackpredetermined quantity, a folding-table and a hollow carrieradapted to receive the crack-.

ers and deliver them to the folding-table, and a pusher locatedintermediate the conveyer and carrier and adapted to engage the crackersand move them into the vcasrier, substantially as described.

6.. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with. avertically-movable carrier and an endless conveyenof a sliding platelocated between the conveyer and carrier and adapted to move from theformer underthe latter 'and back again, and a reciprdctin'g pusher alsointermediate the conveyer and carrier and adapted to reciprocate betweenthe two'so as to engage the crackers as they move forward and assist thesliding plate in delivering them into the carrier, substantially asdescribed.

7. vIn a machineof the character described, the combination, withahollow carrier, a conveyer and amovable plate-reciprocating betweenthetwo, of a pusher also reciprocating between the two, and means forlifting said pusher during its return stroketo cause it to clear theincoming group of crackers,

substantially asdescribed. v

8. In a machine of the character described,

' the combination, with a'folding-table, a carrier and a conveyer, of apusher intermediate the carrier and conveyer and provided with ayielding pushing-plate to bear against the crackers during the forwardmovement of the pusher, substantially as described;' 1 i 9. In amachineof the character described,

the combination, with a conveyer comprising a fixed bed, endless chainsconnected at in-.

tervals by cross-bars'which travel over the

